One of my true musical regrets is that, when I first got into jazz in the 70s and 80s, I had countless chances to see Chet Baker play in small clubs. I didn’t go see him, as I was told he was by then a “has been” who was burned out with drugs, etc. Well, this series of recordings of Chet Baker with vibist Wolfgang Lackerschmid from that time period makes me wish I could go back in a time machine and see him perform, as he still sounded, even a few years before his demise, unwaveringly lyrical and in control of his musical emotions.
Baker is joined by Lackerschmid and Nicola Stylo/fl-g and Gunter Lenz/b for the most part, with some cameos by Rocky Knauer/b, Peri dos Santos/g and Edir dos Santos/dr. The atmosphere is relaxed and thoughtful, with Baker in glorious form on “Welcome Back” and gentle on “Christmas Waltz”. He agonizes wondrously on “Why Shouldn’t You Cry” and bops deftly over Lenz’s bass for “Try It Dry “. With the rhythm section, Baker sambas on “Gloria’s Answer” with aplomb, and is in rich tone for “Volta Trais”. Stylo’s guitar is a perfect complement to Bae on “Waltz For Berlin” and Lackerschmid is the perfect dance partner throughout. What else are we missing?